Medicine without specialists, Albania limited in healthcare treatment / Korçë region lacking specialist doctors

The healthcare situation in Albania shows a serious shortage of specialist doctors in several regions of the country.

In the region of Dibër, which includes the municipalities of Peshkopi, Bulqizë, and Mat, the number of doctors is extremely limited: only 28 doctors in total, of which 17 are general practitioners and only 11 are specialists.

Similarly, the regions of Kukës, Lezhë, Berat, and Korçë are also not fully covered with specialist doctors.

Even in cases where specialist doctors exist in the system, their number is very low—sometimes only one per specialty, particularly in oncology and orthopedics. In Kukës, for example, there is not even an anesthesiologist.

Across the country, there are 6,037 licensed doctors. According to data provided by the “Order of Physicians” to Faktoje.al, more than 55% are general practitioners, while the rest are specialists in various medical fields.

The data shows a clear problem in the distribution of specialist doctors at the regional level.

According to official figures, general practitioners dominate with 3,433 doctors nationwide, creating a significant gap compared to specialists.

A 2024 report by the Supreme State Audit Institution (KLSH) also highlights serious issues in regional hospitals, including reduced surgical services due to the lack of specialist doctors such as anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists. Hospitals in Bulqizë, Gramsh, and Kolonjë do not have anesthesiologists or intensive care units in operation.

When it comes to spending, the same report notes that a large portion of healthcare expenditure goes to hospital services, as well as increased funding for various programs, including bonuses for medical residents, although in small amounts.

Healthcare funding for public hospitals increased by 1,166,362 thousand lek, spending on private hospital packages increased by 50,954 thousand lek, bonuses for resident doctors increased by 2,350 thousand lek, and PPP contracts for sterilization and dialysis increased by 96,553 thousand lek in 2023.

Most of the specialist medical services are concentrated in Tirana.

Out of 6,037 doctors in the country, 3,980 are based in Tirana, which is around 66% of the total.

As stated by the Minister of Health during a visit to Lezhë Regional Hospital, the goal is for excellence in healthcare not to be concentrated only in Tirana, but also to be distributed across regional hospitals.

However, official data shows that healthcare services in many regions remain limited for years.

In 2023, out of every 100 medical visits, only 12 were conducted by specialists, while the rest were handled by general practitioners.

In the capital, there are 61 medical specialties, while regional hospitals offer only a limited number of specialties, and even those in small numbers.

Apart from Tirana, some exceptions include the regional hospitals of Durrës, Elbasan, and Fier, where specialist services are more developed.

However, most other regions continue to face a shortage of specialist doctors.

According to an official response from the Ministry of Health, there are a total of 10 regional hospitals in the Republic of Albania.

“KORÇA BOOM”